This is the field session that goes with the Friday workshop "The Art and Science of Bird Photography"

Why does one bird photograph stop you in your tracks while another—technically perfect—elicit a tepid response. My talk will bridge the aesthetics of photography with cutting edge neuroscience, and we will discover what makes a bird photograph not just good, but unforgettable. Understanding the 'why' behind the 'what' will transform how you see, compose, and create. 

We'll meet in the parking lot for the Bayshore Bikeway.

Discover the birds of the Tijuana River Valley! Join us as we explore some of the most renowned birding hotspots in the southern part of the county, guided by expert birders. We’ll visit key areas known for their rich variety of species, offering a mix of waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, and passerines. Some exciting sightings from previous trips include Brant, Heermann's Gull, Tri-colored Blackbird and Black-throated Magpie Jay.

This field trip is a bus tour, starting and ending at Marina Village Conference Center. If you are staying at the Dana, a free shuttle will be available to take you from the hotel to Marina Village from 5:30 am until 7:30 am. Breakfast is available in the Marine Room from 5:30 to 7:30. Please drop by and enjoy some breakfast with us. Lunch is included with this trip. The start time of this trip indicates the time the bus intends to leave. Please plan accordingly.

Join us for an action-packed birding adventure across one of the nation's birdiest places—San Diego County! With the goal to spot 100 species (or more) in a single day, this fast-paced field trip is designed to give you the thrill of high-volume birding. From shorebirds to raptors, you’ll be immersed in the excitement of spotting some of the region's most common species, while keeping an eye out for rare surprises. Don’t miss this ultimate birding challenge! This trip is all about volume, pushing you to have your biggest birding day ever.

The adventure begins and ends at Marina Village Conference Center. If you are staying at the Dana, a free shuttle will be available to take you from the hotel to Marina Village from 5:30 am until 7:30 am. Breakfast is available in the Marine Room from 5:30 to 7:30. Please drop by and enjoy some breakfast with us. Lunch is included with this trip. The start time of this trip indicates the time the bus intends to leave. Please plan accordingly.

The adventure begins and ends at Marina Village Conference Center. If you are staying at the Dana, a free shuttle will be available to take you from the hotel to Marina Village from 5:30 am until 7:30 am. Breakfast is available in the Marine Room from 5:30 to 7:30. Please drop by and enjoy some breakfast with us. Lunch is included with this trip. The start time of this trip indicates the time the bus intends to leave. Please plan accordingly.

Discover the birds of the Tijuana River Valley! Join us as we explore some of the most renowned birding hotspots in the southern part of the county, guided by expert birders. We’ll visit key areas known for their rich variety of species, offering a mix of waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, and passerines. Some exciting sightings from previous trips include Brant, Heermann's Gull, Tri-colored Blackbird and Black-throated Magpie Jay.

This field trip is a bus tour, starting and ending at Marina Village Conference Center. If you are staying at the Dana, a free shuttle will be available to take you from the hotel to Marina Village from 5:30 am until 7:30 am. Breakfast is available in the Marine Room from 5:30 to 7:30. Please drop by and enjoy some breakfast with us. Lunch is included with this trip. The start time of this trip indicates the time the bus intends to leave. Please plan accordingly.

Join us for an action-packed birding adventure across one of the nation's birdiest places—San Diego County! With the goal to spot 100 species (or more) in a single day, this fast-paced field trip is designed to give you the thrill of high-volume birding. From shorebirds to raptors, you’ll be immersed in the excitement of spotting some of the region's most common species, while keeping an eye out for rare surprises. Don’t miss this ultimate birding challenge! This trip is all about volume, pushing you to have your biggest birding day ever!

The adventure begins and ends at Marina Village Conference Center, with breakfast served before our early morning departure. If you are staying at the Dana, a free shuttle will be available to take you from the hotel to Marina Village from 5:30 am until 7:30 am. Breakfast is available in the Marine Room from 5:30 to 7:30. Please drop by and enjoy some breakfast with us. Lunch is included with this trip. The start time of this trip indicates the time the bus intends to leave. Please plan accordingly.

Join Professional Photographer Krisztina Scheeff / KS Nature Photography for a look at the amazing courtship behaviors of Western and Clark's Grebes...and other species that live on the lakes in North County San Diego.

You must provide your own transportation to and from the meeting place for this trip. Meeting location will be shared by Krisztina before the trip. What to bring: binoculars, water, snack if you like, camera if you like, and your happy self. Other gear: hat, sunscreen, bug spray (some days there are little tiny flies like to visit the water’s edge). Please wear comfortable shoes, hiking boots are ideal. Walk is on flat paved road with a short walk on sand to the shore, about 2 mile round trip. We will walk slow, birding and taking photos as we go. 

Experience the breathtaking La Jolla Cove coastline, where birds and sea mammals thrive along the rugged shores. This outing offers views of birds that prefer rocky outcropings, such as Surfbirds and Wandering Tattlers. It is also an exellent opportunity to see pelagic birds from land. Some exciting sightings from previous trips include Black Oystercatcher, Black-vented Shearwater, and Pelagic Cormorant. Participants are encouraged to bring a spotting scope or borrow one to fully take in the spectacular coastal wildlife.

You must provide your own transportation to and from the meeting place for this trip. Lunch is not provided.

San Diego is famous for its pelagic birding, where you can see species not usually visible from land with some of the most knowledgeable pelagic birders around! This trip is great for folks who want to add to their life list, learn more about identifying birds on the open water.

The group will meet in the Starboard room for some important information sharing prior to the trip. The group will then walk approximately 0.25 mile to the Marina, on flat sidewalk, to board the boat.

Tecolote Canyon is one of several protected urban canyons in the San Diego area. It was once home to the Kumeyaay people, who named it for the small owls found there. Now managed by the City of San Diego, it features several miles of trails, native plants and wildlife. 

Birds that are here for the entire year include hawks, Anna’s Hummingbird, California Thrasher, House Wren, Wrentit, and both California and Spotted Towhees. 

Expect a moderate walk with some uneven ground, as well as slight uphills. Restrooms are available in the Nature Center.

We will meet in the parking lot for the Tecolote Canyon Nature Center. You must provide your own transportation to and from the meeting place for this trip. 

Learn some basics and then venture out towards the marina to look for birds to draw!

Experience birds from a completely different point of view, and learn about the restoration efforts in South Bay. Join us for a peaceful and immersive birding kayak trip in San Diego Bay, one of the most biodiverse coastal ecosystems in Southern California. As we paddle through the calm waters of the bay, we'll have the chance to observe a wide variety of bird species in their natural habitat. All while enjoying the stunning views of the surrounding wetlands, tidal flats and nearby wildlife refuges. In late February, the bay is teeming with resident and migratory birds preparing for spring breeding. Keep your eyes peeled for Brant geese and Northern Pintails swimming in the shallows while American Wigeons and Northern Shovelers often forage along the edges. Shorebirds like Black-bellied Plovers and Western Sandpipers can be spotted probing the mudflats for food. The majestic Double-crested Cormorants and Brown Pelicans glide over the water. You might also catch a glimpse of Great Blue Herons hunting along the shoreline. This kayak trip provides a unique vantage point for observing these birds up close in a serene environment. Kayak experience not necessary!

You must provide your own transportation to and from the meeting place for this trip.

Join us for Birding & Biking at Mission Bay, one of San Diego’s most popular and scenic birding locations.
This unique event combines the joy of birdwatching with the fun of cycling, as we explore the lush coastal habitat of Mission Bay on two wheels. Starting at Marina Village, we’ll bike along the network of paths that wind through the bay's diverse ecosystems, from saltwater marshes to mudflats, and open water. Mission Bay is home to a wide variety of bird species, making it a birdwatcher's paradise. Along the ride, you’ll have the opportunity to spot Black-Necked Stilts wading along the shoreline, Western Sandpipers and Least Sandpipers foraging in the mudflats, and the graceful Snowy Egret and Great Egret hunting for fish in the shallows. As we cycle through the area, look out for large flocks of Californa Gulls and Ring-Billed Gulls that often gather in the open spaces. During migratory seasons, you may also spot Elegant Terns and Forester's Terns skimming across the water or resting on the sandbars. Cormorants and pelicans are frequent visitors to the bay, so keep your eyes peeled for them!  Additionally, Osprey are often seen soaring above, scouting the waters for prey, while Red Tailed Hawks may be spotted perched high on nearby trees or gliding over the bay.
Whether you’re an avid cyclist or a beginner, this event offers a perfect blend of birdwatching and outdoor adventure. So, bring your binoculars, and your enthusiasm for nature as we enjoy the beauty of Mission Bay and the incredible variety of birdlife it supports.

This field trip includes use of a bicycle and a helmet. If you have your own bike, please sign up for the Birding by Bike (BYOBike)

Join us for Birding & Biking at Mission Bay, one of San Diego’s most popular and scenic birding locations.
This unique event combines the joy of birdwatching with the fun of cycling, as we explore the lush coastal habitat of Mission Bay on two wheels. Starting at Marina Village, we’ll bike along the network of paths that wind through the bay's diverse ecosystems, from saltwater marshes to mudflats, and open water. Mission Bay is home to a wide variety of bird species, making it a birdwatcher's paradise. Along the ride, you’ll have the opportunity to spot Black-Necked Stilts wading along the shoreline, Western Sandpipers and Least Sandpipers foraging in the mudflats, and the graceful Snowy Egret and Great Egret hunting for fish in the shallows. As we cycle through the area, look out for large flocks of Californa Gulls and Ring-Billed Gulls that often gather in the open spaces. During migratory seasons, you may also spot Elegant Terns and Forester's Terns skimming across the water or resting on the sandbars. Cormorants and pelicans are frequent visitors to the bay, so keep your eyes peeled for them!  Additionally, Osprey are often seen soaring above, scouting the waters for prey, while Red Tailed Hawks may be spotted perched high on nearby trees or gliding over the bay.
Whether you’re an avid cyclist or a beginner, this event offers a perfect blend of birdwatching and outdoor adventure. So, bring your binoculars, and your enthusiasm for nature as we enjoy the beauty of Mission Bay and the incredible variety of birdlife it supports.

If you sign up for this version of the field trip, you must bring your own bike and helmet.

A walk with Opticron's Chip Clouse and the Friends of Famosa Slough for birding and to learn about the extraordinary continuing effort of the local community to save this urban oasis for birds. Famosa Slough is located in the heart of urban San Diego between Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and Ocean Beach. This marine protected area sits within a remnant 30-acre wetland. Famosa Slough, a narrow 12-acre natural channel connecting the San Diego River estuary and the Pacific Ocean, allows tidal salt water to mix with fresh water from the local watershed to form a unique estuarine environment. During high tides, larval marine fish and invertebrates are able to enter the wetland. Calm, protected, brackish water provides habitat for fish, crustaceans, and plants. Because it is a significant feeding and resting site for ducks, herons, terns, and a multitude of shorebirds, birdwatching is popular here. Participants will want to bring binoculars, a hat, sunscreen, water and snacks if you want them.

Much of the area is viewable from a flat dirt, accessible area. The dirt paths around parts of the slough are not all easily accessed using wheel chairs or other mobility assisting devices. There are no restroom facilities at the Famosa Slough. The Slough is located at 4275 West Point Loma Blvd. San Diego 92107. We will meet on the side walk in front of the viewing area on the south side of West Point Loma BLVD. Park on the street. It is a busy street so cross carefully.

Learn more about Famosa Slough and Friends of Famosa Slough in this KPBS news story.

Join representatives from Swarovski Optik for a walk around Marina Village Conference Center, looking for native birds. They know the birds and will have optics for you to try.

Join Free Flight staff (and some of their resident ambassador parrots!) for an introductory discussion on all things parrot! Over the course of 45 minutes, this family-friendly discussion will touch on a wide variety of topics, like "what makes a bird part of the parrot family?" and "how have parrots adapted to live in so many different habitats around the world?." Time will also be spent on parrot-themed topics closer to home for local San Diegans, such as "why are there parrots in San Diego,?" "what is it really like to live with a companion parrot?," "how and why can parrots talk like people?," and most importantly, "what can YOU do to help parrots around the world?" There will be plenty of time for Q&A, and time to say hello to the birds, too!

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Did you know? Global insect populations are in decline.  This presentation explores the relationship between insects and birds, emphasizing how declining insect numbers threaten bird species that rely on them for food, especially during breeding and migration seasons. We will examine the impact of habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change on both insect and bird populations. We will also hear some success stories and learn how we can help! Whether you're an avid birder or a concerned citizen, this presentation will provide valuable insights into the intertwined fates of insects and birds and what it means for everybody.

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Description TBD

This is a meeting of the participants and leader of the Target Trip (Monday) to determine what we'll look for and where we'll look for it. Please sign up for this if you are signing up for the Monday Target Trip.

New to birding? Challenged by early start times, long walks or leaders who take things too fast? A bird sit might be for you.